| Area: | 784 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; coast is semi-arid |
| Population: | 18.53 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 80 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; exposed to tropical storms and cyclones |
| Logistics: | Dilapidated rail and road transport fleet; lack of fuel and spares; poor roads; substantial deliveries by coastal vessels; disruption by guerrillas |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, maize |
| Marketing year: | March/April; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 53 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Crops continue to benefit from favourable conditions in most parts of the country. Despite initial concerns over a possible El Niño-induced drought, rains started early in September in the southern areas, gradually reaching the central and northern major agricultural provinces. Rainfall from December to February was normal and crops are reported to be in good vegetative condition. Seed and fertilizer supplies are reported to be adequate. A few areas of concern include the western provinces of Tete and Manica, where dry spells in November and December and floods in January have affected crops in some districts. Heavy rains, which continued through February, could reduce yields in some northern and central areas, due to water-logging of crops and loss of soil nutrients. Initial indications are that area planted this year could be at least similar to the 1996/97 level. Prospects are generally favourable for a near normal harvest of cereal and other crops, provided good weather conditions prevail in the remainder of the season.
Following a good 1997 cereal harvest with large carryover stocks anticipated, the overall food supply situation is expected to continue to improve. However, food assistance will continue to be required in localized dry areas of the south and areas where farmers may lose their crop as a result of current floods. Therefore, international assistance may be needed for local purchases and transport to remote areas. Additional food assistance through the ongoing emergency will be required for people affected by floods (Sofala and Tete provinces) and crop loss in isolated dry areas in traditionally food insecure areas of Gaza and Inhamane Province. A new Emergency Operation of 8 000 to 10 000 tonnes for one year will probably be prepared in June by WFP, to start in October 1998.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
50 |
458 |
508 |
|
Normal Imports |
102 |
60 |
244 |
406 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
102 |
52 |
140 |
294 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
- |
120 |
1 349 |
1 469 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
180 |
1 349 |
1 529 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
120 |
1 349 |
1 469 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
144 |
181 |
1 358 |
1 683 |
|
Food Use |
137 |
151 |
1 168 |
1 456 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
Non-food use |
7 |
15 |
162 |
184 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
25 |
25 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
15 |
3 |
18 |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
144 |
61 |
9 |
214 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
72 |
30 |
- |
102 |
|
Food aid needs |
72 |
31 |
9 |
112 |
|
of which: exceptional |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
136 |
29 |
27 |
192 |
|
of which: Delivered |
50 |
19 |
26 |
95 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
7 |
8 |
63 |
79 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
301 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
53 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
38 |
